Minney’s Yacht Surplus

Came in off of an advertised special… chartplotter with a chip. Got the unit home and no chip. After reaching out this morning I got nothing but attitude from some kid answering the phones. Basically, pound sand. Asked for the owner, Ernie, and got the same response. Left contact info and will see if Ernie calls back.
Ernie, get the kid off of the phone… horrible attitude and bad for customer retention. Kid, if you are making Minney’s your career move, get better at your job.

Whoa. I sail very little, but often go browsing this place for ideas and inspiration. Beware, you may leave this place with ideas of adventure, so take caution and set a budget.
If you’re going to browse, check out the map room upstairs where almost every map there is $ 1.95. You’ll leave with an armful 3 hours laer. (true story)
Also, they have buckets of stainless hardware that can cost a fortune brand new. Great place for the guy with a garage and a short DIY list.

if you want to be verbally abused and treated like you are then dumbest person in the world then this is the place for you.
funny… wonder if these junk dealers have actually ever even been in a boat?

Its a marine junk store and makes no pretensions. Prices used to be great, now they just OK. Used electronics prices have gotten crazy high, like $ 195 EACH for an ancient Raytheon R20 radar and a matching display with a cut cable. $ 95 for an old crystal controlled SSB, $ 195 for a salt corroded 1982 vintage synthesized SSB, etc. I made lower offers (about 50% of asking price) and all were rejected so I left with nothing. It was bascially take it or leave it, no negotiating. Had they agreed on more reasonable prices I would have spent a few hundred bucks on my visit. Chances of these old radios and radars working are low, so they are overly expensive parts sets, and you are not even sure what parts are good. Prices on some things like used sails are very good. Prices on stainless hardware (like big stainless machine bolts) are quite low. Prices on used bumper balls and fenders are high-​ish. It’s really fun to browse the place and although it appears cluttered it’s VERY well organized considering how many different items there are. I saw a few things that I recognized from 16 years ago, so they are patient indeed. Don’t expect a big markdown because something hasn’t sold. I like Minneys. It’s your ONLY chance of finding an exact part for something really old, like a NECO, Sperry or Wood Freeman autopilot. I don’t begrudge most of their prices (excepting old electronics), real estate around Newport Beach is very expensive and they provide a real resource for mariners. They really know their inventory. If you ask they will find. I just wish they’d get more realistic about their used marine electronics prices. They will have some of that stuff forever if they keep the prices so high. If something can be used as party decoration or a movie prop don’t bother trying to buy it. It will either be a rental item only or priced in the stratosphere. Still, with all my gripes, I give them 4 stars. There isnt another Minney’s anywhere on the coast. Its like a year long marine swap meet but without the bargain prices. I found an unobtainable part for an old autopilot here 16 years ago and for that I remain grateful. It only cost $ 40 back in 1997 before their used electronics pricing went nuts. That old 1950s vintage pilot is still working in 2013 thanks to Minney’s.

Minney’s rocks! If they have what you need, you know you’ve scored on a deal… We go there for little parts for old boats and for big things like when we had to rebuild the head… completely in love :)

This is one of the venerable meccae (sure it’s a word) of nautical everything on the west coast. Sure there’s Louis’s in Wilmington or the Treasure Chest in San Diego (presuming it’s still there), but for sheer breadth and depth, it’s hard to beat Minney’s.
There’s an entire yardful of line (once onboard, a rope becomes a line) of every conceivable diameter, length and composition. Plus more line inside.
There are aisles and aisles of fixtures, fasteners — a roomful of propellers — another roomful of electronic oddities, and the list goes on.
My last trip to Minney’s resulted in the acquisition of a pair of 9′ oars. Try buying 9′ oars new — they’re $ 400 a pair by the time they get to you. These were $ 95 less a small cash discount — for the pair. Got ‘em home, and after some sanding and varnish they were gleaming new and ready for use.
The worst thing about this place is that in and amongst the junk there’s too much good stuff.
If you’re within driving distance, check ‘em out or at least call before buying anything signficant anywhere else. Think of it as the Pick-​n-​Pull of nautical gear, except that most everything is already neatly laid out on a shelf or somewhere for you.

Hmmmm 3 stars or 4?
Well, you’ll find that they think their stuff is mighty valuable, and your stuff not so much so. Still, in and among the junk, there’s lots of useful and not too expensive stuff to be found here for your boat projects — plan on spending some time here (hours) as it’s jumbled tightly together.